Orlando International Airport to undergo $472 million renovation

The board of Orlando International Airport on Wednesday signed off on a $472 million upgrade that could lead to the removal of ticket counters in the main terminal.

Construction could begin early next year and be complete by April 2015.

Replacing the counters would be high-tech electronic kiosks where passengers could get their tickets and check bags. Other improvements would be made to the baggage system and to airside 4, where much of OIA's international flights arrive.

The debt likely would be repaid over 17 years from an existing $4.50 levy placed on every ticket sold for OIA.

In other news, the board chose Orlando attorney Frank Kruppenbacher as its new chairman, replacing Cesar Calvet.